A CHAMPION of deaf and blind people who was the trustee of the Sense Cymru offices in Merthyr Tydfil has died.

Carol Pollington, 71, was actively involved in the national deaf and blind charity Sense since 1995 and served as a trustee since 2005.

She died on Thursday, December 9.

Carol, who lived in Carmarthenshire, had Usher Syndrome Type 2, was blind and used hearing aids.

Overcoming her own deafness and blindness, she was a founder of Sense’s Peer Mentor Advisory Committee, advising and supporting others with the same condition.

Among her many achievements, Carol initiated Hearing Sight Impaired Cymru (HSI) where she was chairman, and she encouraged the group to actively campaign for equal services for deaf and blind people in South Wales.

Paying tribute to her on behalf of trustees, Sense’s chief executive Gillian Morbey said: “She was much loved and was an inspiration to all who met her. We are deeply saddened to learn of Carol’s death.

“Her counsel and wisdom will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with her husband Clive, her daughters Katrina and Noelle and many friends.

“Carol had a lifetime’s experience of deaf-blindness in overcoming her own dual sensory impairment and achieving wonderful things.”

Carol’s funeral took place on Friday, December 17, in Pembrokeshire, and her family and friends took part in an informal celebration themed on Carol’s loves of literature, walking, travel and her work with Sense.

A further tribute was paid by Wayne Lewis, head of Sense Cymru, who said: “Carol was a lovely, thoughtful, committed, funny and generous woman who will be sadly missed.

“As well as the wider organisation of Sense, our team here in Sense Cymru will forever be in her debt.

“She performed the official opening of the new Sense Cymru office in April of this year. She addressed the Welsh Assembly for us some 18 months ago, making a lasting impression.”